Home Schools CSU San Bernardino Social Sciences
Social Sciences · Social Sciences Rank #53 of 76

Social Sciencesat California State University-San Bernardino

Graduates earn $18,893/yr in their first year — about 51.0% below the national Social Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $647K; scenarios range from $588K to $664K depending on AI disruption.

San Bernardino, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$18,893
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$647K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU San Bernardino

The earnings data for Social Sciences at Cal State San Bernardino reflects a few key realities. A general social science degree from a broad-access regional university often serves as a foundation, not a direct vocational pipeline. Many graduates enter local public service, non-profit roles, or administrative positions within the Inland Empire economy, which typically don't command the highest starting salaries. The strength of this program lies in developing critical thinking and communication skills, but without a specialized focus or additional technical skills, you'll compete for a wide range of entry-level jobs. To leverage this degree for higher earning potential, proactively seek internships in specific industries, pursue a minor in a high-demand field like data analytics or business, or plan for graduate studies.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$647K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple21.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$664K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple21.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU San Bernardino's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
3
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
4
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
5
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
6
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Sciences

How CSU San Bernardino stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Mercer University
GA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Vanderbilt University
TN · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Top score
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
76
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
15.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Upper Iowa University
IA · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Also at CSU San Bernardino

Other top programs at CSU San Bernardino

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU San Bernardino, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Sciences at CSU San Bernardino

How does California State University-San Bernardino's Social Sciences program score?

This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Social Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Social Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Social Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Social Sciences earnings lower at California State University-San Bernardino?

Lower starting pay at California State University-San Bernardino may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.